Penguin Rescue Update

Tiny scraps of life

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​Hello friends and family
It has been a busy week. On Monday, Jan came out and we removed the data logger from the adult. It has been 6 years since I last did this task, and it took a few minutes for me to remember the best technique. It was not a problem as the penguin was relaxed, and Jan is a skilled holder. Sadly, we found a chick at Okahau that had been predated.

the chicks are well camouflaged

​On Tuesday, Bronwyn and I went down to the Dunedin wildlife hospital to deliver the dead chick and to collect our last chick, two foster chicks for here and 1 for Bushy Beach, Oamaru. 

finding their feet

​The 2 Toms met us at the Moeraki turnoff and took the Bushy chick to its nest while we placed the 3 chicks here. Later I went down the hill to check that they were all okay, and the juvenile was home. I was able to remove his data logger in only a few minutes so that was a good thing. I also saw 2 other juveniles – one did a runner, so it is not one of ours – they are wary but not panicked to see us.
Wednesday was Toptip day. It was busy all morning and I took $140+, good business for a Wednesday.

We call these chicks boofers

​We weighed 2 of the chicks at Okahau on Thursday – the other 2 are now out of their nest box and resting under a tree.
Friday was the day for the Katiki Point Historic reserve management group meeting, so Robbie and I went to update the group on penguin issues. Yesterday we got our first rehab patient for the season – a juvenile that came from Okahau point and was roosting in a dangerous place.

The center of attention

Nasty November ends today and we move on to the next phase of penguin care with proportionately ½ of the chicks we had last season. Each one is doubly precious.
Have a great week!
Rosalie